2-Day Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa to Puno: Condor viewpoint

Watch Andean condors soar above Colca Canyon on your way from Arequipa to Puno

A 2-day tour from Arequipa that crosses the Andes to Colca Canyon, then descends to Puno. Day one takes you through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca reserve to Chivay, with stops to see llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, and ends at La Calera Hot Springs. Day two explores Colca Canyon itself: the 18th-century Santa Ana Church in Maca, the terraced viewpoint at Antahuilque, and Cruz del Condor where condors drift above the canyon walls before the route reaches Puno by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Arequipa to Chivay

• Pick up in Arequipa
• Stop at Salinas and Aguada Blanca reserve
• Visit Patapampa viewpoint
• Arrive in Chivay town
• Relax at La Calera Hot Springs

Day 2: Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno

• Pick up from accommodation in Chivay
• Visit Santa Ana Church in Maca
• Stop at Antahuilque viewpoint
• Visit Cruz del Condor viewpoint
• Stop at Lagunillas viewpoint
• Arrive in Puno city

The experience

The route starts at 7:30 am in Arequipa and climbs into high-altitude terrain. You'll pass through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca natural reserve, where the landscape opens onto herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing in their native habitat. The road rises to Patapampa viewpoint at 4,900 meters, where the Andean volcanic peaks stretch across the horizon in all directions. By afternoon you're in Chivay, the base town for canyon exploration, with time to soak in the mineral pools at La Calera Hot Springs before the night.

Day two begins at 6:30 am from your Chivay accommodation. The tour enters Colca Canyon through the town of Maca, where the Santa Ana Church stands as an 18th-century colonial landmark: its Baroque Mestizo façade carved with intricate detail and the interior fitted with gold-leaf altars. From there the route climbs to Antahuilque viewpoint, perched above 3,700 meters with views down into the canyon's terraced fields, built centuries ago by the Collaguas people. The centerpiece is Cruz del Condor, the vantage point where Andean condors ride the thermal currents above the canyon walls. After this, the tour descends toward Puno, stopping at Lagunillas to see the high plateau dotted with alpine lakes and waterfowl before arriving in Puno by 7:00 pm.

A bilingual guide (English and Spanish) leads the entire route. Hotel pickup in Arequipa and drop-off in Puno are included. Meals and the entry fees to Colca Canyon and La Calera Hot Springs are optional purchases available on site, so you can decide what suits your budget and appetite as the days unfold.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Arequipa and hotel drop-off in Puno.
• professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish throughout both days. Meals and entry fees to Colca Canyon and La Calera Hot Springs are available for purchase on site depending on the option you choose at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transport and guide onlyGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Lasts 2 days; pickup is included; travel by van

Tour including meals and feesGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Lasts 2 days; buffet lunch with vegetarian options on Days 1 and 2; van fee to Colca Canyon; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 49

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peru Sceneries

Is this one for you?The two-day span lets you reach the highest viewpoints and the condor sightings without rushing. The pace gives you time at Patapampa, Antahuilque and Cruz del Condor, then carries you all the way to Puno in a single journey. If you're traveling between Arequipa and Puno anyway, this route turns the transfer into the main event.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What animals will I see on the way to Chivay on day one?

The Salinas and Aguada Blanca reserve is home to llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (an endangered wild species from the alpaca family) grazing in their natural habitat. You'll stop there to observe them before continuing to the Patapampa viewpoint.

What is the Santa Ana Church in Maca like?

Santa Ana Church is an 18th-century colonial building known for its Baroque Mestizo architecture, with intricate carved details on the façade and vibrant frescoes inside. The interior features exquisite gold-leaf altars and artworks reflecting Andean cultural heritage.

Where do you see the Andean condors?

Cruz del Condor is the viewpoint where condors soar above the canyon. It's the best vantage point on the tour to watch them drift on the thermal currents above the abyss.

What is Antahuilque viewpoint?

Antahuilque is a stunning viewpoint inside Colca Canyon at over 3,700 meters altitude, offering panoramic views of the Andes and the intricate terraced fields built by the ancient Collaguas people. You can see colorful lakes and the vast expanse of the canyon from this stop.

Do I need to book accommodation in Chivay in advance?

Yes, accommodation in Chivay on night one must be booked separately by you before the tour begins. The tour includes pickup and drop-off but not the hotel itself.